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Xi calls for more China-US exchanges
The Chinese economy is healthy and sustainable, and China will consistently improve its business environment to provide broader development space for enterprises from various countries, including the United States, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday. He made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with representatives from American business, strategic, and academic communities. China did not collapse as predicted by the "China collapse theory", nor will it peak as forecast by the "China peak theory", Xi told the US guests. The meeting took place amid intensive meetings of senior Chinese officials with global business executives in the past weeks, and it is widely considered as a significant step China has taken to stabilize the expectations of foreign investors with regard to the Chinese market. On China-US relations, Xi said that whether China and the US engage in cooperation or confrontation matters to the well-being of both peoples and the future of humanity. "The two countries' respective success presents an opportunity for each other. As long as both sides regard each other as partners, show mutual respect, coexist peacefully and pursue win-win cooperation, China-US relations can get better." He talked about his meeting with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco in November, saying that the most important common understanding they reached was that China-US relations should stabilize and improve. In line with the consensus reached by the two heads of state, working groups from both countries have maintained communications over the past months, and made progress in fields such as politics, diplomacy, the economy, trade, finance, law enforcement, anti-drug cooperation, climate change and people-to-people exchanges. Under the current circumstances, the common interests of China and the US are not diminishing but are increasing, Xi said, citing traditional fields such as the economy, trade and agriculture, and emerging areas including climate change and...
UN Security Council demands immediate Gaza ceasefire after US abstains
UNITED NATIONS/CAIRO, March 25 (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Monday demanding an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas after the United States abstained from the vote, sparking a spat with its ally Israel. The remaining 14 council members voted for the resolution - proposed by the 10 elected members of the body - that also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. There was applause in the council chamber after the vote. "This resolution must be implemented. Failure would be unforgivable," U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres posted on social media. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the failure of the U.S. to veto the resolution was a "clear retreat" from its previous position and would hurt Israel's war efforts and bid to release more than 130 hostages still held by Hamas. "Our vote does not, and I repeat that does not represent a shift in our policy," White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters. "Nothing has changed about our policy. Nothing." Following the U.N. vote, Netanyahu canceled a visit to Washington by a high-level delegation that was due to discuss a planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where some 1.5 million Palestinians have sought shelter. The U.S. was perplexed by Israel's decision and considered it an overreaction, said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. Washington had been averse to the word ceasefire earlier in the nearly six-month-old war in the Gaza Strip and had used its veto power to shield ally Israel as it retaliated against Hamas for an Oct. 7 attack that Israel says killed 1,200 people. But as famine looms in Gaza and amid growing global pressure for a truce in the war that Palestinian health authorities say has killed some 32,000 people, the U.S. abstained on Monday to allow the Security Council to demand an immediate ceasefire for the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan,...
Unlocking China’s Economic Potential: New Quality Productive Forces
In fostering the development of new quality productive forces, President Xi Jinping emphasizes a balanced approach that prioritizes high-quality development while maintaining a strategic focus on innovation and emerging industries. In the global economic landscape, China emerges as a powerhouse of innovation and progress, driven by the concept of new quality productive forces. Under the visionary leadership of President Xi Jinping, this notion was first proposed by Xi in 2023 at an inspection in China’s northeast Heilongjiang province, and it was underlined at a crucial conference on economic work last December before becoming the focus of a study session of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) leadership this year. This concept dominated policy deliberations in many areas at this year’s top parliamentary conference, and it was named the government’s top priority for 2024 in the government work report. It represents a dramatic journey towards unprecedented economic growth, fueled by innovation, technology, and strategic reforms. Below are the key elements of the concept, and how China intends to execute them as the country seeks high-quality development. Innovation at the Frontline: At the heart of new quality productive forces lies innovation as a catalyst for economic rejuvenation. China recognizes innovation as the cornerstone of sustained growth and competitiveness. This represents a leap in productivity, breaking away from traditional economic growth models. They are marked by high-tech solutions, exceptional efficiency, and unwavering quality standards. Drivers of new quality productive forces: This encompasses revolutionary technological advancements, innovative resource allocation, and profound industrial transformation. The fundamental essence lies in enhancing the work of laborers and labor means. Moreover, new quality productive forces are characterized by a significant boost in total factor productivity, underpinned by innovation and a focus on high...
Constructive dialogue, cooperation key to human rights protection: Chinese ambassador
China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) Office in Geneva and other international organizations has stressed the need to promote and protect human rights through constructive dialogue and cooperation. During the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen Xu denounced the politicization and instrumentalization of human rights issues in a joint statement delivered Wednesday on behalf of the Group of Friends on the Promotion of Human Rights through Dialogues and Cooperation. The joint statement pointed out that the politicized and polarized atmosphere is exacerbating the Human Rights Council, which runs counter to its original intention and violates the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, non-politicization, and non-selectivity. The establishment of country specific mechanisms against the will of the countries concerned and the proliferation of parallel mechanisms cause a huge waste of financial and human resources without yielding tangible outcomes and are therefore not conducive to promoting or protecting human rights, the statement said. The joint statement also reiterated three propositions regarding the work of the Human Rights Council. – to uphold fairness and justice, adhere to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, oppose interference in the internal affairs of member states using human rights as an excuse and call for an immediate cessation of unilateral coercive measures. – to uphold openness and inclusiveness, play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue and cooperation on an equal and mutually respectful basis, expand consensus through dialogue and exchanges, and work together to protect and promote human rights through peace, security, common development, dialogues and collaboration. – to uphold objectivity and impartiality, conduct its work on accurate and objective information, respect the sovereignty and political independence of all countries, respect the human rights development paths chosen...
Chinese envoy meets Hamas political leader in Qatar to discuss ‘Gaza conflict and other issues’
China’s foreign ministry envoy Wang Kejian has met the head of Hamas’ political bureau, according to a Chinese readout on Tuesday, in the first known meeting between a Chinese official and the militant group since the Gaza conflict broke out last year. The brief statement said Wang met Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar on Sunday and “exchanged views on the Gaza conflict and other issues”, without further elaboration. The Jerusalem Post, citing Hamas, reported that Haniyeh told the Chinese envoy that the war needed to end quickly. He also said Israel must withdraw its forces from Gaza and an independent Palestinian state should be established. According to the report, Wang said China was “keen on relations” with Hamas, which he called a “part of the Palestinian national fabric”. Wang is the first diplomat China has sent to Palestine and Israel since the war erupted in October. Last week, he visited the West Bank and met the Palestinian Authority’s foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki. There, he said China was renewing its call for an immediate ceasefire and a “two-state” solution as a political settlement. Wang also held talks with Hagai Shagrir, head of the Israeli foreign ministry’s Asia and Pacific bureau, and Rachel Feinmesser, the head of the ministry’s policy research centre. Since the conflict began, China has sought to play a role by releasing its own five-point position paper on the crisis, which urged the UN Security Council to draw up a “concrete” timeline and road map for a two-state solution. Its foreign minister Wang Yi last year held separate calls with his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts while other Chinese officials have discussed the situation with various countries in the Middle East. But China has not condemned Hamas or referred to the group as a terrorist organisation, which analysts earlier suggested might prompt countries, including Israel, to view Beijing’s efforts as unbalanced. The Article originally appeared in www.scmp.com March 19, 2024...
Hope Amidst Hardship: Building Bridges for Afghan Female Students
Amid the Taliban's control in Afghanistan, Afghan families fled to Pakistan for their daughters' education. Pakistan later ordered their departure, leaving uncertain futures. In a dialogue led by CRSS and OESP, Afghan female students advocated for solutions like internships, scholarships, and community support. Discussions with the British High Commission underscored the need for international assistance. This emphasized the urgency of supporting Afghan female students in rebuilding their lives and contributing to society. Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, numerous Afghan families have sought refuge in neighboring Pakistan, particularly motivated by the desire for their daughters to pursue education, given the Taliban's ban on women attending university and teenage girls attending school. By November 1st, 2023, Pakistan issued a directive for undocumented Afghans to leave. However, those returning to Afghanistan face a grim reality as the Taliban severely restricts female education, employment opportunities, appearance, and freedom of movement. Meanwhile, Afghan women and girls remaining in Pakistan live in constant fear of being forcibly repatriated to Afghanistan, where they see little hope for a better future. During a recent Pak-Afghan Stakeholders’ Dialogue organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) and its Afghan counterpart, the Organization for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP), religious scholars, HEC officials, and Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, engaged in an interactive session with Afghan female students. The forum addressed the challenges faced by students while studying in Pakistan and proposed practical solutions to resolve these issues. In the discussion, the Afghan female participants emphasized the importance of providing internships for Afghan students in Pakistan and abroad, simplifying visa processes, and facilitating travel for students and their families. They also...
Resurgence of TTP And Its New Strategies
The upsurge of violence by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan is often attributed to the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. However, this oversimplification ignores other significant factors contributing to the TTP's deadly actions. While Kabul's events loom large, deeper drivers fuel the TTP's aggression. Following the rejection of their demands regarding the restoration of semi-autonomous border regions – formerly known as FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) - and the withdrawal of the Pakistan army, the TTP unilaterally ended the ceasefire agreed upon in June, by late November 2022. A thorough examination of the events preceding the conflict between Pakistan and the TTP is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the situation's complexity. Historical Background In 2014, the commencement of the Zarb-e-Azb operation led many TTP militants to seek refuge in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban, engaged in combat against the US and the Afghan government at the time, offered sanctuary to these militants in exchange for the hospitality they had received in Pakistan since the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. There were two significant outcomes of the Zarb-e-Azb operation: a notable decrease in violence in Pakistan and a source of reinforcement for the Afghan Taliban to improve their strategic strength against Afghan forces. While Pakistan celebrated a decline in violence attributed to its counter-terrorism operations, the TTP continued plotting its resurgence in its former strongholds within the erstwhile FATA. Long before the Taliban’s ascendance to power, the TTP had been diligently pursuing its objectives. Recognizing that reclaiming its past influence solely through its existing presence in Afghanistan was unlikely, the group, with the help of the Taliban, initiated its expansion plans through alliances with its splinter groups and inviting other militant groups hostile to Pakistan to join its cadre. Pakistan, at that time, was...
Legacy of Doha Agreement: Afghanistan’s Never-Ending Ordeals
Four years after the Doha Agreement, Afghanistan faces continued turmoil and uncertainty, with conflicting interests and unmet promises hindering its path to peace. As the fourth anniversary of the Doha Agreement between the United States and the Taliban passes, Afghanistan remains mired in a complex and challenging landscape. Signed on February 29, 2020, in Doha, Qatar, the agreement was intended to chart a path towards peace and stability in Afghanistan. However, four years on, the reality on the ground tells a different story, with Afghanistan grappling with ongoing conflict, humanitarian crises, and political uncertainties. The Doha Agreement[1], which set out a framework for the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan and the initiation of intra-Afghan negotiations, was hailed as a landmark development at the time of its signing. Yet, its legacy has become increasingly contentious, with allegations of violations and unfulfilled commitments casting a shadow over its supposed achievements. One of the most glaring issues stemming from the Agreement is the persistent conflict between the Taliban and the former Afghan government. Despite the agreement's provisions for intra-Afghan negotiations, progress towards a comprehensive peace settlement has been slow and fraught with challenges. "The lack of a responsible government in Kabul and the continued violence on the ground have hindered efforts to forge a lasting peace. Moreover, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly in the wake of the agreement. "The negotiations leading to the (Doha) Agreement were deeply flawed in terms of human rights," notes Heather Barr, head of the Human Rights and Women’s Rights section at Human Rights Watch. "Afghan women were entirely excluded from the process and discussions." Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House spokesperson, remarks that the Taliban had failed to uphold their pledge for "meaningful dialogue with other Afghan citizens to ensure...
Nero’s Shadow over Pakistan’s Nuclear Power Crisis
The cost of solar, hydropower, wind, and coal power plants was never analyzed according to global cost rates and is one of the reasons why the price of electricity is higher in Pakistan. A high-efficiency plant utilizes less fuel, gas, coal, or oil, to produce one unit of electricity but NEPRA has continued to grant licenses to inefficient plants, resulting in massive capacity payments. It is imperative, before the IMF lends more funds, to revamp blood-sucking institutions such as NEPRA that are undermining consumer trust in the state and replace them with a few credible experts. Pakistan is in the midst of political and economic turmoil, with record inflation, primarily due to the high cost of electricity to the extent that it is now challenging national sovereignty while simultaneously slowing down GDP to levels like never seen before. The majority of Pakistanis pay bills that are far higher than their average monthly incomes. The cost hike is entirely due to circular debt in the power sector. In 2006, the threat of circular debt intensified the criminal oversight by the national power regulator, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). The main goal of NEPRA was to provide a steady supply of electricity at a reasonable price as well as to address other issues facing the power industry, such as system losses, growing expenses, high tariffs, and generation capacity constraints. Regretfully, NEPRA has not only failed to accomplish its objectives but has also bankrupted the country. Pakistan was economically stable during its four major wars with India, yet NEPRA appears to be leading the country towards a financial calamity. While India had kept Pakistan united during the wars, NEPRA has now polarized the country. Where did NEPRA make a Himalayan blunder to destabilize the nation? Below is a summary of misdoings: In the year 2012, a roadmap was handed over to NEPRA to reduce circular debt and Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses, now...
Mutual Respect for Sovereignty Key to Stable Pakistan-Afghanistan Relationship: Special Envoy Asif Durrani
Refusal of Afghans to cross into Pakistan with a passport defies the logic of relations between two sovereign countries, Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani said during his interaction with the Afghan religious, tribal, and business stakeholders, while highlighting the security threats posed by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the detrimental effects of their activities on Pakistan's security. The interaction was part of the Pak-Afghan Stakeholders Conference organized by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), in collaboration with its Afghan partner Organization for Economic Studies and Peace (OESP), as part of their initiative Beyond Boundaries. Ambassador Asif Durrani emphasized the need for cooperation in countering terrorism (CT) efforts and promoting peace in the region. He emphasized that terrorist groups like Daesh (ISIS) pose a threat not only to Afghanistan but also to the wider region and the world. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to combat terrorism and promote sustainable regional peace. The envoy addressed issues related to trade and border management, emphasizing the importance of documentation such as passports and CNICs for security purposes. He advocated the necessity of implementing biometric measures for border cross-border movement of people to bolster security and minimize threats from non-state actors. Ambassador Durrani stressed the need for mutual respect for sovereignty between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He refuted the perception of Pakistan using coercion in its dealings with Afghanistan and said the refusal of Afghans to cross into Pakistan with a passport defies the logic of relations between two sovereign countries. Durrani accused external actors, particularly India, of supporting TTP militants, citing evidence of their involvement, and underscored the need to address the issue of the militant outfit’s funding and external support. The envoy expressed Pakistan's...
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TESTIMONIALS
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.